Doc Meets the King
Ed “Doc” Laffite
Doherty hurler Ed “Doc” Laffite played one season with the Silk Sox in 1917, but left an impression with fans for his pitching excellence. His reputation would only grow when they learned he was treating wounded soldiers during WWI … and later interacting with England’s King George.
The following excerpt about Laffite is taken from the yet unpublished book, When the Yankees Came to Town: The lost history of the Doherty Silk Sox, the independent team who took on all comers … and won! by Jack DeVries, represented by Bob Diforio of the D4EO Literary Agency.
Doherty hurler Ed “Doc” Laffite served in the Army Dental Corps during WWI, as the Brooklyn Eagle wrote, “… remaking faces maimed in the war.”
On July 4, 1918, at England’s Chelsea Football Grounds, Lafitte competed in a historic game. Pitching for the Army, he dueled against Herb Pennock of the Navy (and Boston Red Sox) before 34,000 fans – including King George V, Queen Mary, the Queen Mother and future prime minister Winston Churchill. Babe Ruth’s pal and drinking partner “Minooka” Mike McNally also played in the game.
Lafitte surrendered just five hits but Pennock was better, striking out 14 and leading the Navy to a 2-1 win. Doc knocked in the Army’s lone run with double. Afterwards, Lafitte and Pennock were summoned to the Royal Box where Doc spoke with King George – the only Silk Sox player to interact with royalty.
Lafitte returned to Philadelphia and worked as a dentist for 42 years. During the 1920s, he pitched independent ball and was Swarthmore College’s baseball coach. He died at 86 in 1971.
